Orthopedic tension unit

ABSTRACT

This can be succinctly defined as an anatomical, compressible weight immobilizer, comprising orthopedic strap tension weights which are adapted to immobilize a portion of an injured patient&#39;&#39;s anatomy against disposition or dislocation, while the patient is reclining. To the portable orthopedic strap tension weighted components is secured a cervical chin strap supplement, in one embodiment. The unit with attachments is applicable to a stretcher or hospital bed or operating table and may be used alternately in the transport of the patient or in the retention of the patient in position for examination, operation or ambulatory movement.

United States Patent Rankin 51 June 27, 1972 ORTHOPEDIC TENSION UNITPhilip A. Rankin, 903 E. Holaway Drive, Tucson, Ariz. 85718 22 Filed:Jan. 28, 1971 211 Appl.No.: 110,722

[ 72] Inventor:

[52] U.S.Cl ..128/134, 5/317, 128/83,

250/50, 269/322 [51] Int. Cl. ..A61f 13/00 [58] Field 01 Search..128/134, 133, 83, 69, 70, 87,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,688,382 10/1928 Ghrist128/133 X 3,535,718 10/1970 Murcott.... ..128/133 X 3,521,625 7/1970Mackey ..128/133 4/1969 Sprecher 128/133 3,215,834 11/1965 Tayman..250/54 3,512,189 5/1970 Swanson ..128/134 X Primary Examiner-WilliamE. Kamm Assistant Examiner-J. Yasko Attorney-J. Gibson Semmes [5 7]ABSTRACT This can be succinctly defined as an anatomical, compressibleweight immobilizer, comprising orthopedic strap tension weights whichare adapted to immobilize a portion of an injured patients anatomyagainst disposition or dislocation, while the patient is reclining. Tothe portable orthopedic strap tension weighted components is secured acervical chin strap supplement, in one embodiment. The unit withattachments is applicable to a stretcher or hospital bed or operatingtable and may be used alternately in the transport of the patient or inthe retention of the patient in position for examination, operation orambulatory movement.

10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATEHTEDJUW 1972 SHEET 10F 2 1 INVENTORPHILLIP A RANKIN n] 9125500 fizz/nav ATTORN EY PATENTEDJUHZY I872 SHEET2 OF 2 "WI-INTO]! PHILLIP A. RANKIN f igsonfimes- ATTORNEY 1 ORTIIOIEDICTENSION UNIT BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. '1 isa plan view ofinvention, showing adaptability thereof to ambulance stretcher or thelike;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of invention less the cervical chin strap;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the removable chin strap, referred to andshown in FIG. 1;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS dimension. The adaptability ofthe system will be apparent to.

those in the medical profession, the utility thereof being to immobilizeanylimb or portion of the patients anatomy. The unit is also useful,together with various splints such asthe novelair splint currently inuse. One of the principle features of the invention resides in itsadaptability to the natural curve of the spine or neck of thepatient,or-as in the case of the legs,

to the'raised portion thereof immediately .in rear of the knee orotherportion of the anatomy such as the ankle. Multiple units may beused on a single patient at any giventime, dependingupon'his injuries.

Referring further to FIG. I, the respective straps ll0110' are securedas at 112 to the respective tab aprons 122 and 122' of the sand bagimmobilizing elements 120-420. The straps are fixed to each apron at oneend and free at another. They are preferably made of a stretc'hableresilient substance. Aprons 122-122 are apertured as at 126 and 126' toaccommodate the free ends of respective straps 110 and 110' for slidingmovement therein. A reinforcement of the aperture 126-126 on its edgeswill insure long life. Noteworthy is the factthat aprons l22122 arccoplanar with the base of the respective sand bags, each being offsetfrom a center line drawn through the respective sand bags sufficientlyto spatially receive the straps forv movement thereof in oppositedirections as will be obvious from the application of tension to saidstraps, which are thereafter secured by tying or otherwise to thestretcher or other patient supporting unit. By offset disposition, ofstrap to aperture, the complemental straps stabilize the respective sandbags in adjustment from no contact to tension contact with the patient.

The adaptability to either hospital bed, ambulance cot, stretcher orX-ray or other examination table will be obvious, the unit being adaptedto tying, following tensioning to available anchor points, at sidesthereof. The cervical head-engaging or chin strap 130 comprisescorresponding strap 132-132, fixed to ends of the chin strap, the sameincludingat the free end of the respective securing straps the snapsl34- 134', corresponding to the extensions 124-124 having snap receivinganchors adjustably related thereto. Relocation of the cervical strap tothe top of the head is within the scope ofinvention.

ln utilization, the reclining patient receives the application of thestrap tension unit by placing the respective straps beneath thenaturallyraised portion of the spine. If necessary one disassembles theunit initially for the purpose and reassembles, without disturbing thepatient precedent to applying contact tension. As the tension is appliedby drawing the opposite straps to the side, pulling the respectiveweighted tension units together, the contacted area between thecompressed bags becomes immobilized, immediately following fixation ofthe respective straps to the opposite sides of the supporting bed, cotor table. The rectangular configuration of each bag unit is important toinsure the partial deformation thereof without loss of vice-likepressure being sustained, irrespective of the adaptability of thecervical chin strap thereto; although it will be obvious that uponadapting the chin strap, a rigidity may be achieved which wouldotherwise not be possible. Moreover, the application of multiple chinstraps or retaining elements may be possible through the utility ofcorresponding anchors, as indicated.

One modification of invention would include zipper or lacing at the topof the respective orthopedic strap tension unit bags to permit shipmentwithout sealing the sand, shot or other dense granular filling.Obviously, unless the tension unit comprises a weighted granularsubstance, the effect desired would not be achievable. Selected size,depth and weight of the bags is dependent upon the intended utility asfor infants, children, adults or variant portions of anatomy thereof.Moreover, in the design of the apron which is coplanar with the bottomof the respective strap tension unit sandbags, the particular offsettingof the respective strap securing and 0pposed aperture receiving elementsinsures the application of equalized tension to the respective elementson opposed portions of the'patients anatomy. As indicated, the interiorof the cervical chin strap is preferably made of a softened substance toavoid abrasion.

Whereas the most obvious utility of the invention is in immobilizationof the cervical spine and skull, it will be apparent that it may beapplied to other body extremities, as, for example, one leg in fractureor both legs together, or for hip or upper leg immobilization or for armfractures. Shoulder im mobilization may be achieved through theapplication of the device to opposite sides of the body of the patientat the general locus required.

While only two straps are shown, multiple opposed sliding straps may beemployed to achieve even greater stability of the weights in adjustmentand final setting thereof.

I claim:

1. Anatomical compressible immobilizer for temporarily setting injuredportions of anatomy resting upon a support against displacement anddislocation relative to the support comprising:

A. plural opposed weighted bags, said bags being com- B. at least onestrap attached at one end to the base of each said bag, each said baghaving at its base means providing a sliding guide connection with theopposite strap, whereby, upon placing the respective bags adjacent theportion of the anatomy to be set, and upon extensibly tensioning andtying the respective straps to a support into compression anatomycontact, the anatomy may be set.

2. The anatomical compressible immobilizer of claim 1, wherein the bagsare of rectangular cross section in at least one dimension.

3. The anatomical compressible immobilizer of claim 2, wherein the bagsare of rectangular cross section in both lateral and longitudinaldimension.

4. The anatomical compressible immobilizer of claim 1, the respectivestraps being resilient and having stretch characteristic.

5. The anatomical compressible immobilizer of claim 1, each said baghaving at least one anchor to set a cervical head engaging strap; acervical head engaging strap removably attached to the anchor ofrespective bags, following compression contact thereof with the patientshead.

6. The anatomical compressible immobilizer of claim 5, wherein the bagsare of rectangular cross section in at least one dimension.

7. The anatomical compressible immobilizer of claim 5, in which eachsaid bag includes at least one anchor at each end thereof for selectivedisposition of the cervical head engaging strap to either chin or thetop of the patients head alternatively and together, as in the case ofplural cervical head engaging straps being attached thereto.

8. The anatomical compressible immobilizer of claim I, wherein therespective bags define an apron, said apron being 10. The anatomicalcompressible immobilizer of claim 8 wherein each said bag has at leastone anchor to set a cervical head-engaging strap; said cervicalhead-engaging strap removably attached to the respective bags, followingcompression contact thereof with the patients head.

1. Anatomical compressible immobilizer for temporarily setting injuredportions of anatomy resting upon a support against displacement anddislocation relative to the support comprising: A. plural opposedweighted bags, said bags being compressibly fluid filled; B. at leastone strap attached at one end to the base of each said bag, each saidbag having at its base means providing a sliding guide connection withthe opposite strap, whereby, upon placing the respective bags adjacentthe portion of the anatomy to be set, and upon extensibly tensioning andtying the respective straps to a support into comprEssion anatomycontact, the anatomy may be set.
 2. The anatomical compressibleimmobilizer of claim 1, wherein the bags are of rectangular crosssection in at least one dimension.
 3. The anatomical compressibleimmobilizer of claim 2, wherein the bags are of rectangular crosssection in both lateral and longitudinal dimension.
 4. The anatomicalcompressible immobilizer of claim 1, the respective straps beingresilient and having stretch characteristic.
 5. The anatomicalcompressible immobilizer of claim 1, each said bag having at least oneanchor to set a cervical head engaging strap; a cervical head engagingstrap removably attached to the anchor of respective bags, followingcompression contact thereof with the patient''s head.
 6. The anatomicalcompressible immobilizer of claim 5, wherein the bags are of rectangularcross section in at least one dimension.
 7. The anatomical compressibleimmobilizer of claim 5, in which each said bag includes at least oneanchor at each end thereof for selective disposition of the cervicalhead engaging strap to either chin or the top of the patient''s headalternatively and together, as in the case of plural cervical headengaging straps being attached thereto.
 8. The anatomical compressibleimmobilizer of claim 1, wherein the respective bags define an apron,said apron being substantially coplanar with the base of each said bag,each said apron fixing one end of a strap, offset from a transversecenter-line of the bag, and providing adjacent thereto an offsetaperture guide for the opposite said strap.
 9. The anatomicalcompressible immobilizer of claim 8, wherein the bags are of rectangularcross section in at least one dimension.
 10. The anatomical compressibleimmobilizer of claim 8 wherein each said bag has at least one anchor toset a cervical head-engaging strap; said cervical head-engaging strapremovably attached to the respective bags, following compression contactthereof with the patient''s head.